Marlins Paulino Suspended 50 Games For Performance Enhancing Drug Use

Florida Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino was suspended this afternoon by Major League Baseball for testing positive for use of a banned substance.  His suspension is effective immediately and will end the catcher’s season.  He will not be in uniform tonight when the club takes the field against the Houston Astros at Sun Life Stadium.

Paulino stated that he would not fight the ruling.

A statement released by Major League Baseball did not reveal what the substance was that Paulino tested positive for Ronny believed it stemmed from a dietary supplement that he was taking to control his weight.

“To control my weight this season, I used a dietary pill,” the Marlins catcher said in a statement released by the ball club. “Regretfully, I recently learned that the dietary pill contained a substance banned under Major League Baseball’s drug policy. I am ashamed and saddened for disappointing and distracting my family, my teammates, the entire Florida Marlins organization and baseball fans. My heartfelt and most sincere apology.
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Paulino became the second Major League player to be suspended for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.  Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez was suspended on April 20.

Ronny Paulino began the 2010 season by splitting the catching duties with John Baker.  Baker went down with a right flexor muscle strain in May.  Paulino has been Florida’s everyday catcher ever since.

Paulino was hitting .259 with four home runs and 37 RBI this season.

“I was irresponsible for failing to take all precautionary steps in confirming the approval of the dietary pill,” Paulino said. “Without a doubt, I have learned from my mistake.”

To fill Paulino’s spot on the roster, the Marlins recalled catcher Brad Davis from Triple-A New Orleans.  He is expected to split the catching duties with Brett Hayes for the remainder of the season.